2013 Legislative End-of-Session Report

As you may know the legislature took ‘double overtime’ (two special sessions) with the governor finally signing on by June 30th. Your voice was critical in assuring that there were no significant cuts to health and human service programs.

Here are some of FAN’s legislative successes:

• The Farm to School and Small Farm Direct Marketing program was funded at the level we requested. The funding for this program was eliminated by the 2012 legislature. FAN was the leading voice on this in Olympia. Thank you for your voice that help restore local food security in our state’s schools.
• The State Food Assistance program was funded at 75% which is an important victory that helps maintain food security for our at risk immigrant households.
• The New Life Community Center in Bremerton was funded in the Capital budget at $1.6 million. This center will serve at risk youth, and all populations, in the Bremerton/Kitsap County area. FAN worked with Emanuel Apostolic Church and its pastor Bishop Larry Robertson to meet with legislators and generate over 200 letters to area state legislators from youth & adults.
• FAN, through key testimony in committee and our Olympia lobbying, helped prevent a very bad payday lending bill from advancing.
• The Disability Lifeline for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled and the Housing & Essential Needs programs were not cut – which was a huge victory.
• The DREAM act received a strong bipartisan vote (75-23) in the house of representatives. FAN was part of a very dedicated coalition that will now work to get this through the senate next session – thank you for your voice that spoke up for this critical issue.